Roza in the ruins, Iftar on the streets, first Ramadan in Gaza after ceasefire, emotional pictures surfaced

Ramadan in Gaza: The holy month of Ramadan has brought a new ray of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the situation will change, God will have mercy and Gaza will not remain just a symbol of devastation. With the beginning of the holy month, decorations of small lanterns and colorful lights have started appearing on the collapsed buildings and debris-filled streets of Gaza City.

Smiles and some relief are visible on the faces of children who lost their childhood in the horrors of war. After all, this is the first Ramadan after the ceasefire in October last year.

Fajr prayer on the first morning of Ramadan

According to media reports, dozens of people gathered at Omari Mosque for Fajr prayers on the first morning of Ramadan. He was wearing a heavy jacket to protect himself from the cold, although his feet were bare on the carpet. “Despite the occupation, the destruction of mosques and schools, and the demolition of our homes, we have come here to pray under these difficult circumstances,” said Gaza City resident Abu Adam. He also told that there were attacks on the area last night, but this did not waver in their resolve.

Decorated shops in Gaza (Source- Social Media)

According to local security sources, the same morning, artillery attacks were also carried out on eastern parts of Gaza City and a refugee camp in central Gaza. Independent verification of casualty figures is not possible due to international journalists not being allowed to enter Gaza.

pain mixed with happiness

Even after the US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025, thousands of people are still living in tents and temporary shelters in the southern areas of Gaza. They are waiting for their houses to be rebuilt. Nivin Ahmed, who lives in the al-Mawasi area, says this is the first Ramadan without war, but that the feelings are “mixed”. She says, “Happiness is suppressed somewhere. We are haunted by the memories of our loved ones who were martyred, are missing or are in custody.”

There was excitement in the markets of Gaza (Source- Social Media)

Despite the ceasefire, there remains a shortage of essential goods in Gaza. Due to the weak economy and widespread destruction, most people are dependent on humanitarian aid. The United Nations and relief organizations say controls at entry points prevent enough goods from reaching Gaza, preventing prices from coming down.

Ramadan is special in every situation

“Despite so much destruction and suffering, the importance of Ramadan has not diminished. When everyone was busy in their own struggles during the war, now people are beginning to understand each other’s pain again,” said Maha Fathi, a 37-year-old displaced from Gaza City who lives in a tent in the west of the city.

She says that family and neighbors together prepare for Sehri and try to create an atmosphere of Ramadan even with simple decorations. The hustle and bustle of the markets gives them hope for the return of stability.

First Ramadan after ceasefire in Gaza (Source- Social Media)

A local artist added to the atmosphere at Deir al-Balah beach in central Gaza by writing “Welcome Ramadan” in Arabic on the sand. The children living in nearby tents kept looking at it with curiosity.

Most of Gaza’s approximately 2.2 million residents have been displaced at least once by the more than two-year conflict. This conflict started after the attack on 7 October.

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Mohammed al-Madhon, 43, who lives in a tent west of Gaza City, expresses hope for a better future. He says, “I want this to be the last Ramadan we spend in tents. When my children ask me for lanterns and dream of a rich iftar table, I feel helpless in front of them.”